Man in critical condition after suspected 'medical episode' behind wheel of car

A man was rushed to hospital and is in a critical condition after a collision in Middleton, the Manchester Evening News understands.

It's suspected the driver had a 'medical episode' behind the wheel of his car as it ploughed into three other vehicles along Eastway on Sunday afternoon (September 22).

Witnesses reported an air ambulance being scrambled to the incident as police, paramedics and fire crews raced to the scene, behind the Farmfoods supermarket, at around 4.20pm.

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A large cordon was put in place, blocking Eastway and nearby Chapel Street, with officers seen inspecting one vehicle that had two smashed windows.

The driver, whose age has not been confirmed, was rushed to hospital from the scene. It is understood he remains there in a critical condition.

Other cars, including a taxi and also a lorry were pictured within the cordon. Pictures taken from the scene and shared across social media showed a huge emergency response at the incident on Sunday including multiple fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles.

One witness said a man was freed from his car before being rushed to hospital from the scene. "Police are currently at the scene. There is a huge cordon from the roundabout up to the junction with Wood Street," another said.

The cordon remained in place for a number of hours amid investigations into the collision. The tape was later removed at around 8pm before recovery was arranged for the vehicles. One picture showed a car with two smashed windows, which appeared to have hit another car along Eastway.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said: “At around 4.35pm on